Say Somaali is a Black youth-led, grassroots organization that aims to increase the number of successful and self-fulfilled Somali youth. We believe this can be achieved by providing youth with mentorship from experienced Somali community members, creating safe spaces for building a sense of belonging and connection based on shared identity and experience, and offering opportunities for personal growth and development. To that effect, we have been delivering a culturally responsive mentorship, leadership, and development program for Somali youth in middle school, high school and postsecondary in the Greater Toronto Area.For Somali youth by Somali youth
In 2019, we organized a panel and small group mentoring event with the University of Toronto Somali Students Association. It was clear from the turnout and impact of the event that there was a significant unmet need for Somali youth to have access to quality mentorship from Somali mentors. This was evident from the feedback we received from the young people who attended. Say Somaali was formed shortly after to fill that need in our community.
Our History
Say Somaali particularly addresses the problems and barriers faced by Somali youth and families in Toronto with respect to the education system. Based on our collective personal experiences as Somali youth ourselves, we understand that our community deals with entrenched discriminatory practices in schools and beyond. As a result, few opportunities are accessible to us, and our youth are prevented from being successful and self fulfilled individuals. Many youth do not feel supported by their teachers and often report negative experiences with counselors such as doubting their competence and encouraging them to give up on their aspirations. We address this malicious history by connecting our youth with mentors that can help them overcome the barriers in their path to succeed and thrive. Secondly, we create safe spaces where our youth can explore their shared experience and build collective resilience with the support of their peers, and community.
